“We are going to win so much” is a staple soundbite from President Donald Trump, and also representative of his administration’s approach to international negotiations. President Trump favors bilateral trade deals and has been optimistically touting the US as the UK’s first FTA partner after Brexit. From the UK’s perspective, Prime Minister Boris Johnson also … Continue Reading
Since taking office in January 2017, President Trump has made use of several provisions of US law – including Section 301, targeting unfair trade practices, and Section 232, targeting threats to national security – to bring trading partners to the negotiating table. Major developments over the last two weeks could impact global supply chains across a wide range … Continue Reading
China’s insatiable appetite for vitamins and supplements is pumping billions of dollars into the Australian economy, with thousands of online shoppers snapping up products from leading Australian and New Zealand brands Blackmores, Swisse Wellness, Vitaco and Bellamy’s. Baby formula exports have become a lucrative business, thanks to the end of China’s one child policy and … Continue Reading
The Obama Administration released its 2016 Trade Policy Agenda this week, detailing its trade priorities for the year ahead. Next week, President Barack Obama will welcome Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the White House, where the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal is one topic expected to be on the agenda. The Senate Finance Committee hosted … Continue Reading
President Barack Obama signed the customs bill and Judicial Redress Act into law last Wednesday. In addressing U.S. state governors early last week, the President expressed optimism that Congress may act this year on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal. Congress held a number of oversight hearings last week related to the Administration’s budget request. The … Continue Reading
North Korea Sanctions Bill Passes – Sent to President’s Desk. By a vote of 408-2, the House passed new North Korea sanctions legislation (H.R. 757) on Friday following the Senate’s unanimous approval Wednesday, sending the measure to President Obama’s desk for signature into law. Once enacted, the bill would compel the U.S. Department of the … Continue Reading
TPP – Agreement Signed; Warnings of a Slow Congressional Process. After the Thursday signing ceremony in Auckland, New Zealand, Ambassador Froman said the United States is developing a “full implementation plan” to make sure developing countries, such as Vietnam, uphold their obligations. At a Tuesday meeting with President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) … Continue Reading
U.S. Mobilizes Against the Zika Virus. Last Tuesday, President Obama was briefed on the potential economic and developmental impacts of the Zika virus spreading in the Western Hemisphere. The President emphasized the need to accelerate research efforts to make available better diagnostic tests, to develop vaccines and therapeutics, and to ensure that all Americans have … Continue Reading
The Senate was in session last week, while the House of Representatives (“the House”) remained in recess in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday. Implementation Day of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran took effect, as did a prisoner swap last week. Washington’s attention then quickly shifted to an impending historic … Continue Reading
The House of Representatives reconvened last Tuesday in Washington. The Senate is in session today. President Barack Obama will address a joint session of Congress tomorrow when he gives the annual State of the Union. Iran – Obama Administration Stays the Course. Lawmakers continue to advocate for new sanctions to be imposed on Iran for … Continue Reading